Self defense cell phone with projectiles

ABSTRACT

The present invention teaches an economical disposable emergency cellular telephone. A major object of this invention is a shocking self-defense capability. A father object is a cell phone which launches projectiles to deliver the shocking voltage. A further object of the invention is a new technique for having a large number of cellular phones share the same small group of access numbers and serial numbers in order to reduce the monthly charges to zero for the end consumer. This makes it more practical to use cellular phones for data transmission and monitoring applications.

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of “Generic NumberCellular Telephone” Ser. No. 09/584,326 filed on May 30, 2000 which wasa continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/895,398 filed Jul. 16, 1997,“Disposable Emergency Cellular Phone” now issued as U.S. Pat. No.6,115,597.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] As the cell phone is often used as an emergency communicationdevice it would be useful to combine the cell phone with some sort ofpersonal defense system such as a stun gun that made synergistic use ofthe battery and antenna of the phone. This has never been done. Thepatent of Cassarino U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,450 teaches a cell phone andvarious self-defense packages put together in one box with nosynergistic communication. He includes pepper sprays and a taser. Thisteaches away from the instant invention. Similarly the patent of JulinotU.S. Pat. No. 5,476,192 teaches a pepper spray device disguised to looklike a cell phone. This also teaches away from the instant invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0003]FIG. 1a and 1 b show a front and side view of the phone with theantenna collapsed.

[0004]FIG. 2 shows the side and front views of the phone with theantenna extended.

[0005]FIG. 3 shows the phone in its waterproof storage pouch.

[0006]FIG. 4 shows the basic circuitry for the phone.

[0007]FIG. 5 shows the circuitry modifications for the automatic crashresponse feature.

[0008]FIG. 6 shows the registration process to allow the user to bypassa monthly access fee.

[0009]FIG. 7 shows the physical embodiment of the stun gun version ofthe cell phone.

[0010]FIG. 8 shows the electrical circuitry of the stun gun cell phone.

[0011]FIG. 9 shows the high position for the safety of the stun gun cellphone.

[0012]FIG. 10 shows a low position for the safety of the stun gun cellphone.

[0013]FIG. 11 shows a side view of the low position for the safety ofthe stun gun cell phone.

[0014]FIG. 12 shows the shocking launching barbs embodiment of the stungun cell phone

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015]FIG. 1 depicts the phone with the antenna collapsed from a sideand front view. The basic mechanical components of the phone 10 are thespeaker and speaker section 12, the antenna 14, and the microphonesection 18. The center section 19 carries the batteries and theelectronics. It also serves as the base for the “911” button 16.

[0016] A spring 20 to automatically deploy the antenna is shown in thespeaker section. In an alternative embodiment, the antenna is slid downinto the phone body with a linear spring. When the 911 button is pushed,it releases the antenna, which then slides out the end into a fullyextended position when released.

[0017] In one embodiment, the whole phone is made waterproof through theuse of waterproof switches, microphone, and speakers.

[0018]FIG. 2 shows the identical components but with the antennaextended. The operation of the spring is such that the antenna isnormally fully extended.

[0019]FIG. 3 shows the phone of this embodiment in its weatherproofpouch 30. This pouch could be made of any water or weatherproof materialincluding vinyl, polycarbonates or other polymers. Along the front endof the pouch 30 is an embedded quick release strip 34, which has abrightly colored large pull tab 36. For use of the phone the tab 36 isgripped and pulled down the complete length of release line 34 to openthe pouch and access the phone. This then automatically deploys theantenna due to the operation of the integral spring.

[0020] On the back of the phone pouch 30 is an attachment means. In thepreferred embodiment this is shown as a Velcro® type of mechanism 32.Alternatively it could be suction cups for glass or adhesives for metal.Further alternatives would include magnets for metal. The Velcro worksparticularly well for the roof cloth or floor carpeting of many cars.Yet another alternative attachment mechanism would be a combination ofVelcro and magnet for universal attachment as shown using the magnets 38embedded in the pouch.

[0021] The pouch is transparent to make the phone contents very obviousin an emergency situation.

[0022] Due to the presence of dedicated integrated circuits theelectronic portion of a conventional cellular phone design is doable byanyone skilled in the art of electrical engineering. The circuit in FIG.4 is meant to be broadly illustrative. The circuitry is not meant to bein great detail as that is no longer necessary with this art. Speaker 40is coupled through capacitors 42 and 44 to audio controller 60. Theaudio controller 60 receives a demodulated audio line 62 from the RFsection chip 66. That RF section chip receives the RF signal fromantenna 68. Microswitch 17 is shown connected to the power supply chipfor automatically turning on the phone after the antenna is deployed asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0023] Microphone 46 is coupled through capacitors 48 and 50 andresistors 52, 54, 56, and 58 into the audio controller 60. The audiocontroller then sends the “audio out” signal on line 64 into the RFsection 66 for final transmission out on antenna 68. When the callbutton 16 is depressed the microprocessor microcontroller 70 interpretsthis and activates the appropriate sequences and the digital controller72 would then give the appropriate controls to the audio controller 60.Digital controller 72 is clocked by a crystal oscillator comprisingcapacitors 74 and 76, crystal 78, and resistor 80.

[0024] All of the electronic components are powered by battery 76through the power supply chip 74.

[0025] A representative audio controller is the TCM 8010 of TexasInstruments, P.O. Box 655303, Dallas, Tex. 75265. A representative RFsection IC is the TRF 1015 from Texas Instruments. There are numerousmanufacturers of microprocessors or microcontrollers. Sample devices arethe 8051 or 8032 available from numerous electronic manufacturers. Arepresentative of the digital controller is the TCM 8002 from TexasInstruments. Representative power supply ICs are the TPS9013 or theTPS9104, both of Texas Instruments.

[0026] The battery 76 is a permanently installed primary cell such as analkaline, lithium, or manganese dioxide cell although many other typescould work. The cell must provide high peak currents in transmission butotherwise is not required to have extremely high longevity. By having apermanent primary cell there is an economy over the use of an expensiverechargeable cell and also over the use of a changeable primary cell dueto the expense of the battery holders chambers and doors. These batteryholders, chambers, and doors for a battery chamber also introducereliability problems. As an alternative embodiment the battery could bea fixed or removable thermal battery or any practical battery.

[0027] Microswitch 17 is activated by the antenna springing out and thusautomatically turning on the device. FIG. 5 depicts the circuitmodifications to allow for the automatic crash activation feature. Thethree-axis acceleration sensor 100 will detect the sudden accelerationfrom a crash and pass this on to three-channel amplifier 102 and then onto the microprocessor and microcontroller 70. If a sufficient force isdetected then the device will turn on automatically and begin pulsingthrough transistor 104 to pulse integral light 106. The light 106 isalso used to light up the 911 button after the antenna is deployed. Themicroprocessor microcontroller will also signal the rapid beepingthrough the phone speaker 40, which is shown in FIG. 4.

[0028] If the phone is not operated within 5 minutes of the “crash” thenit automatically turns off to save battery life. Alternatively the phonecould include a “hang-up” button which could also stop the flashing andpulsing.

[0029] Suitable acceleration sensors are available from Analog Devicesof Norwich, Mass.

[0030]FIG. 6 shows the flow chart for the operation of the phone withparticular attention to the unique feature that allows the operation ofthe phone without the customer having to pay a monthly access fee for aprivate number.

[0031] The provider (distributor) of the disposable emergency cellularphones will pay a monthly fee for a few phone numbers. Each of thesephone numbers (mobile identification number [MIN]) comes with anelectronic serial number (ESN) which will be transmitted with the MIN inorder to register to the cellular system. (A conventional cellular phonealso transmits its MIN and a unique ESN, which it registers. The ESN isunpublished and is matched with the phone to minimize fraudulent usage.)One feature of this invention is that thousands of the disposableemergency phones could share a small set of MINs and matching ESNs.

[0032] Assume that the average call requires 5 minutes. The table belowgives the number of MINs required for a smoothed (average) load as afunction of the number of subscribers. The last column gives theestimated number of MINs required to reduce waits as call volume willnot be perfectly constant. number of MINs needed for MINs needed tosubscribers average load minimize waits 100 1 3 200 1 5 500 2 8 1,000 412 2,000 7 17 5,000 18 30 10,000 35 49 20,000 70 85 50,000 174 190100,000 348 364 200,000 695 712 500,000 1,737 1,753 1,000,000 3,4733,490 2,000,000 6,945 6,962 5,000,000 17,362 17,378 10,000,000 34,72334,740

[0033] In operation, the first step is to wait for the 911 buttondepression 200. Step 202 is to register with a MIN and ESN. Step 204 isto verify that registration (log on) is established. If it isestablished then the method proceeds on to step 206 which is to transmitthe 911 number. Then step 208 begins a timer. Finally, at step 210 thedevice will disable further transmissions when the timer reaches 60minutes. In an alternative embodiment, a counter is used to limit thenumber of 911 calls to a small fixed number, say 5. The total talkingtime would then be limited only by the battery life and the patience ofthe 911 operators. If at step 204 registration was not established thenthe method proceeds to step 212, which is to verify that a carriersignal is present. If no carrier is detected then the method returns tostep 202 to attempt registration again. If the carrier is detected thenthe method proceeds to step 214 and increments to the next MIN (phonenumber) and ESN (serial number). It then attempts another registrationin step 216. The reason for the attempt for different numbers is that itis conceivable that two customers would both be trying to make a 911call at the exact same time. Were that to occur, the first caller wouldnormally lock out that number nationwide and prevent the second callerfrom getting through. Thus a disposable cellular phone provider wouldhave a few numbers that a minimal monthly service fee is paid for. Thesystem could try the MINs and ESNs (phone and serial numbers) in a fixedsequence or a random fashion.

[0034] Alternatively the phone could simply log on with a public phonenumber and transmit a 311 or 911 call since the FCC requires phonecompanies to accept 311 and 911 calls regardless of the account status.

[0035]FIG. 7 shows the physical embodiment of the stun gun in thisversion of the cell phone. The basic phone 300 has a conventional keypad 302 and read-out display 304 along with the antenna 306. There isalso the on-off button 308 as standard.

[0036] There is a left side high (mechanical) resistance push button 310to enable the flashlight. Also there is a right side push button 311 toenable the electrical stunning operation when used in conjunction withthe switch 310. When the flashlight is enabled then the battery from thecell phone is connected to high intensity light bulb 312. When bothswitches 310 and 311 are enabled simultaneously a high voltage isdeveloped between the pseudo antenna tip 314 and the tip of the normalantenna 316. The angle between the tips 314 and 316 is very important asit allows the shock to be delivered from the operator's right hand andangled to attack the arm or hand of an attacker without having to have afull perpendicular contact.

[0037]FIG. 8 shows the synergistic operation of the circuitry. We beginwith the battery 320, which is connected to the conventional cell phonecircuitry 322, which then drives the conventional antenna 306 fortransmission. When switch 311 is depressed then the battery power 320 isdelivered directly to the light bulb 312 to cast an intense beam.

[0038] When both switches 311 and 310 are depressed then battery currentis delivered to oscillator 324. Oscillator 324 provides an AC current totransformer 326 which develops a high voltage output which is rectifiedby diode 328 and stored in capacitor 330. In this way a voltage is builtup to over 1000 volts on capacitor 330. When the voltage exceeds 1000volts on capacitor 330 then the hermetically sealed spark gap 332 willbreak down and deliver a short intense current through transformer 334.The output of transformer 334 (of about 25,000 to 50,000 volts) willthen appear between contacts 306 (which is the conventional antenna) and314 which is the shocking probe “pseudo antenna.” The hermeticallysealed spark gap 336 limits that voltage to prevent damage to thecircuitry. The Zener diodes 337 serve to protect the cell phonecircuitry from the effects of this high voltage and keep the antenna 306closer to a ground potential.

[0039]FIG. 9 shows the high location of the safety switch. In order toenable the shocking circuitry the operator must depress the round switch700 hard. This is difficult to do if the phone face is against the sideof the head as it would be for normal phone usage. Thus thisconfiguration reduces the risk of the operator shocking herself. Theswitch 700 could require a second operation of lifting a hood over itbefore it could be depressed. This would provide a double safetyfeature.

[0040]FIG. 10 shows a low position for a safety tip 702. Here the thumbend must actually lift the safety hood at the bottom of the keypad. Oncethe hood is lifted, the thumb must depress the internal switch 704 togenerate the shock.

[0041]FIG. 11 shows the side view of the low position safety inoperation. Here keyboard 302 is lifted by the thumb 706 being insertedunder the lip 702. The thumb then depresses switch 704 to activate theshocking circuitry.

[0042]FIG. 12 shows the embodiment using launched barbs. The barbmechanism 720 consists of a head 722 and a shaft 724 connected to acoiled loop of fine wire 728. The barb is launched by coil spring 726upon command of the operator. The barbs are released either by amechanical latch movement driven directly by the shock delivery switchor by a solenoid controlled by the switch. The voltage sources are node314 and the bottom “common” line in FIG. 8.

We claim:
 1. A cellular phone comprising a power source, acommunications antenna, communications electronic circuitry, a keypad,and high voltage electronics, cooperatively connected so that the phonewill generate a high voltage shock for self defense purposes but alsoallow normal cell phone communication.
 2. The cellular phone of claim 1which includes a switch located on the keypad side to enable thegeneration of the high voltage shock.
 3. The cellular phone of claim 1which includes two switches which must both be actuated in order toenable the generation of the high voltage shock.
 4. The cellular phoneof claim 1 which includes a switch located on the keypad side below thekeypad to enable the generation of the high voltage shock.
 5. Thecellular phone of claim 1 which includes a switch located on the keypadside above the keypad to enable the generation of the high voltageshock.
 6. The cellular phone of claim 1 which includes a switch locatedon the keypad side which must be at least partially lifted up from thecell phone surface to enable the generation of the high voltage shock.7. The cellular phone of claim 1 in which the high voltage shock isdelivered at least to one electrode which is launched from the cellphone.
 8. A personal safety device consisting of: a) a source ofelectrical power, b) a first circuit, capable of generating a highfrequency signal, connected to the source of electrical power, c) akeypad connected to the first circuit, d) a communications antennaconnected to the first circuit, e) a second circuit, capable ofgenerating a high voltage, operably connected to the source ofelectrical power f) a human operable switch connected to the secondcircuit, g) at least one outside contact connected to the secondcircuit, so that the device is capable of transmitting cellular phonesignals and also defensive high voltage shocks when directed by a humanoperator.
 9. The personal safety device of claim 8 which includes aswitch located on the keypad side to enable the generation of the highvoltage shock.
 10. The personal safety device of claim 8 which includestwo switches which must both be actuated in order to enable thegeneration of the high voltage shock.
 11. The personal safety device ofclaim 8 which includes a switch located on the keypad side below thekeypad to enable the generation of the high voltage shock.
 12. Thepersonal safety device of claim 8 which includes a switch located on thekeypad side above the keypad to enable the generation of the highvoltage shock.
 13. The personal safety device of claim 8 which includesa switch located on the keypad side which must be at least partiallylifted up from the cell phone surface to enable the generation of thehigh voltage shock.
 14. The personal safety device of claim 8 in whichthe high voltage shock is delivered at least to one electrode which islaunched from the cell phone.
 15. A method of dealing with a personalsecurity threat comprising the steps of: packaging cellular phonecircuitry comprising a keypad together with a high voltage self-defenseshocking apparatus, connecting the cellular phone circuitry to the highvoltage self-defense shocking apparatus at the power source, deliveringa high voltage shock on a switch actuation at the keypad side of thecellular phone via the high voltage self-defense shocking apparatus, andplacing an emergency assistance call via the cellular phone circuitry.16. A method of dealing with a personal security threat comprising thesteps of: packaging cellular phone circuitry together with a highvoltage self-defense shocking apparatus, connecting the cellular phonecircuitry to the high voltage self-defense shocking apparatus at thepower source, launching electrodes towards an adversary, delivering ahigh voltage shock via the high voltage self-defense shocking apparatusto the launched electrodes, and placing an emergency assistance call viathe cellular phone circuitry.